Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85 Cover Image

Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score

$20.00 USD
$20.00 USD
Skip to product information
Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85 Cover Image
Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score

Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score

By Max Bruch

Item: 36-A542201
$20.00
Shipped

One moment…

Related Items

Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score & Parts

$60.00
View

Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Solo Viola

$3.00
View
Description
Max Bruch (1838-1920) composed the ROMANCE (ROMANZE) in F, Op. 85 for Viola and Orchestra in 1911 as part of a group of works, written between 1909 and 1911, for specific performers with whom Bruch had a close relationship. In this instance, the ROMANCE was written for French violist Maurice Vieux, who gave the public premiere of the beautiful work, although a private concert given on April 25, 1911, by Bruch's conducting student Leo Schrattenholtz and his orchestral society, with Willy Hess as soloist, preceded that public performance. Bruch, known for his deeply rich melodies, was at the height of his compositional powers when he wrote this work, now a staple of the viola repertoire. Instrumentation: 1.1.2.2: 3.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Viola in set. A version for viola and piano by the composer of this gorgeous work is also available in the LudwigMasters catalog, and it is superb as a lyrical recital piece.

Romance in F for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 85: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Pages

No sample pages found.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-89-563458-6
ISBN13: 979-889-563-4585
UPC: 612735965884
SKU: 36-A542201
Instrumentation: 1.1.2.2: 3.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Viola in set

More about this title

About the Composer: Max Bruch

Max Bruch (1838-1920) was a German composer whose gift for memorable melody secured his place in the standard repertoire. Though he wrote three violin concertos, two cello concertos, and substantial choral works, his enduring success came from his ability to craft lyrical themes that singers and instrumentalists still treasure today. Late in his life, between 1909 and 1911, Bruch composed a series of works for specific artists he admired, including this Romance for Maurice Vieux, a French violist of note.

Bruch's late-career works for string soloists represent some of his finest writing. By the time he composed the Romance in F, he had refined his craft across decades of composition and conducting, and this piece demonstrates the security and warmth of his mature style. The work remains a cornerstone of the viola repertoire and a touchstone for understanding how turn-of-the-century composers approached the instrument.

Why we love this

This score captures Bruch at his melodic peak, offering your orchestra and viola soloist a work of genuine emotional substance that audiences recognize and cherish. The orchestration is transparent enough to highlight the soloist without overwhelming the string section, making it both musically rewarding and orchestrally practical for ensembles of moderate size.

What to expect

Intimate yet grand, the Romance unfolds like a song without words. The viola sings over warm orchestral harmonies with an unhurried dignity, moving between moments of quiet introspection and gentle passion. The work's emotional landscape is transparent and direct, inviting listeners into a space where melody and accompaniment exist in perfect equilibrium.

Who it's for

Orchestras with a strong viola soloist and conductor seeking a work that sits comfortably in the standard repertoire. The Romance suits youth orchestras with capable string sections, professional ensembles programming chamber-scaled concertante works, and viola students ready for a substantial public recital piece in orchestral setting.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening theme with a gentle arch; the viola's initial statement should breathe naturally, with the orchestra providing a cushion rather than pushing forward.
  • Balance the solo viola carefully in tutti sections. The size of your string section and concert venue will determine how much the soloist needs to project; use sectional rehearsals to establish a comfortable dynamic relationship.
  • Allow the lyrical passages to unfold without rushing the harmonic rhythm. Bruch's harmonies move deliberately, and premature tempos will flatten the work's romantic character.
  • Prepare the viola soloist for the technical demands in the second section; the piece shifts from repose to more active figuration, requiring both agility and tonal security in the upper register.

How to use it

Program this as the centerpiece of a string-focused concert, pairing it with works that celebrate the voice of individual instruments: a violin concerto, a cello suite, or a double concerto. The Romance also serves as an excellent vehicle for introducing audiences to the viola as a solo voice, and its moderate length (roughly 12-15 minutes) fits naturally into mixed repertoire programs without consuming excessive rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Long-phrase orchestral accompaniment and balancing with a solo voice
  • Transparent texture writing and harmonic support without doubling
  • Viola tone production and intonation in the upper register
  • Pacing of lyrical material and avoiding excessive tempo fluctuation

You May Also Like